Re: December 5, 1967 - Looking back
| December 08, 2023 05:20PM |
As Extra 497 East finished the climb to Azotea and the run on to Chama in the dark, Jeff and Ernie headed back to Abuquerque. I spent the night at the Shamrock in Chama, and the next morning chased 497 west to Navajo.
497 is steaming west of Chama toward Willow Creek with yesterday's train expanded by the 17 loads of drill mud.
497 is approaching the tank at Navajo for the last time
497 set out 4 loads of drill mud at Gato, as there was no helper to Durango. These loads were to be picked up the following week by the next westbound train that was to bring 478 back from Alamosa to Durango. However that train was cancelled due to a major winter storm. Eventually 497 ran to Gato and took these 4 cars to Farmington.
On December 6 engine 493 made a morning Cumbres turn with lumber loads, and in the afternoon ran to Alamosa with the combined lumber loads from Durango and Chama.
I decided to drive home the night of December 6-7, a life changing decision that resulted in a draft-deferred job in Washington State and no future in the Air Force.
I think the only one who actually made it all the way to Farmington was Jim Marcus, although Alva Morrison might have been there too.
497 switching at Farmington on December 7, 1967. Photos by Jim Marcus
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/08/2023 09:59PM by Olaf Rasmussen.
497 is steaming west of Chama toward Willow Creek with yesterday's train expanded by the 17 loads of drill mud.
497 is approaching the tank at Navajo for the last time
497 set out 4 loads of drill mud at Gato, as there was no helper to Durango. These loads were to be picked up the following week by the next westbound train that was to bring 478 back from Alamosa to Durango. However that train was cancelled due to a major winter storm. Eventually 497 ran to Gato and took these 4 cars to Farmington.
On December 6 engine 493 made a morning Cumbres turn with lumber loads, and in the afternoon ran to Alamosa with the combined lumber loads from Durango and Chama.
I decided to drive home the night of December 6-7, a life changing decision that resulted in a draft-deferred job in Washington State and no future in the Air Force.
I think the only one who actually made it all the way to Farmington was Jim Marcus, although Alva Morrison might have been there too.
497 switching at Farmington on December 7, 1967. Photos by Jim Marcus
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/08/2023 09:59PM by Olaf Rasmussen.
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488 stops for water at Los Pinos tank on closing day Oct. 1979. Photo courtesy Don Richter
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